Select Local Merchants

At Phalanges Unlimited, the decor strikes a balance between charm and chic. A wall-to-wall, monochromatic portrait of a woman greets guests in the reception area, her fierce gaze surrounded by curled hair and bejeweled earrings. It's a striking image, offset by numerous blackboards that adorn the walls with quirky quotations and service prices.
Licensed and certified technician Cherie Dercqu oversees the venue with expertise that is as varied as the salon's design. Having been in the beauty industry for more than 20 years, she administers nail and cosmetic treatments with meticulous care. Natural-nail specialist Tina Costello performs pampering mani-pedis, and her acrylics artfully enhance hands and feet. Cherie also applies permanent makeup to lips, eyebrows, and eyelids, canceling out the hassle of putting on eyeliner or wearing sunglasses at night when you forget. Her other services include eyelash extensions, ear candling, and formal makeup sessions.

After mitts emerge from a mineral-packed paraffin dip, the seasoned digit decorators at London Styling Shoppe and Spa trims, shapes, and buffs nails to prepare them for a smoothly layered lacquer. Patrons snuggle into heated, massaging pedicure chairs while soaking tootsies in a warm bath before they marinate in a moisturizing mask. Cuticles then yield to the touch of the technicians, who ensure that keratin canvases are prepared for tiny portraits of Harriet Beecher Stowe stenciled in bright hues.

The decor at The Nailery is simple. Cushy red chairs tuck into manicure stations positioned before mirrors, and sand-colored walls stand elegantly bare, save for a shelf full of vibrant nail polish and a single decoration—a 2012 Reader’s Choice award from Trib Total Media. The hardware speaks to The Nailery’s excellence in service, as its team of licensed technicians grooms, shapes, and paints fingernails and toenails with top products from CND, Essie, and even no-chip gels by OPI. Clients can stop in for a quick and simple manicure, or sink into a cushy pedicure chair for a foot rub that’s more relaxing than knitting a scarf while taking a hot shower.

Deemed one of the city?s best salons in 2010 by the Pittsburgh City Paper, Dean of Shadyside has been beautifying clientele since its founding in 1984. Its stylists focus on hospitality and guarantee all their services, which include everything from a basic blow dry to feather extensions and three levels of highlights. Nail techs perform four types of manicures and three pedicures for everyday occasions or as part of packages for bridal parties. In a private office, staff experts also consult clients on hair loss and offer them wig-fashion services or attach extensions for more voluminous looks.

They've been in business for 23 years, and all that experience means the staff at Oliverio Hair & Nails has their job down to a creative science. After years of calibrating just the right techniques, the team of hairstylists and nail technicians can spend ample attention on each client during their appointments, which can range from mani-pedis that leave skin soft and nails bright, to waxing services that define features by shaping brows or removing unwanted fuzz from arms and legs, or face-framing haircuts furnished with eco-friendly Aveda hair products that work with a variety of hair styles.